In our new album penultimate podcast, we discuss the latest song drop of Again and Again (ed: Bob Law), along with the album track times and the last 5 live shows.*We take a data driven look at each of the topics and in each case it tells us something different than the general feel.*Do you agree with the data or the feel?*Plus a lightning-round recap of the setlist game results.*Give it a listen and then join us this Sunday night for a LIVE podcast discussion on the new album.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Matt, you seem really down on the band these days and I don’t really blame you necessarily. That being said I’m surprised you’re not happy with how the band sounds. Is the violin missed greatly? Sure. But has the violin really been a part of their live sound in recent years? Nope. Aside from a few songs such as Ants where it just doesn’t work, I think the band is playing with much more finesse/dynamics than they have since Rashawn and Tim joined.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

I really donít understand how anyone can complain about how they sound this year. I went to both shows this past weekend and they sounded great. They donít seem to be rushing through songs at all, very deliberate notes.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dankguitar

Matt, you seem really down on the band these days and I donít really blame you necessarily. That being said Iím surprised youíre not happy with how the band sounds. Is the violin missed greatly? Sure. But has the violin really been a part of their live sound in recent years? Nope. Aside from a few songs such as Ants where it just doesnít work, I think the band is playing with much more finesse/dynamics than they have since Rashawn and Tim joined.

Yeah, they just sound empty to me. Look at it this way: how many bands out there are guitar(s), drums, bass and piano? Quite a few. Now you've got sax/trumpet but my feelings on the execution of that are well known; Jeff Coffin is absolutely neutered up there by the current setup and they're a glorified horn section. Boring stuff and way beneath their talent levels. It's a strong example of the sum being less than the parts. The violin, poor as it's been in recent years, was still a unique dynamic, and a good chunk of their classic songs absolutely rely on it. What you feel is finesse and dynamic, I find to be canned and unimaginative with regards to Jeff/Rashawn.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bluewater21

I really donít understand how anyone can complain about how they sound this year. I went to both shows this past weekend and they sounded great. They donít seem to be rushing through songs at all, very deliberate notes.

Well that's the thing about opinions, we can have different ones. Hey, don't get me wrong. I'm super happy you got to hit some shows and you enjoyed yourself. We all want that. I just don't think this current iteration of the band is all that interesting. Throw in predictable and safe setlists, and you've got someone who's been to 75 shows (me) who just isn't all that excited about seeing number 76.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Throw in predictable and safe setlists, and you've got someone who's been to 75 shows (me) who just isn't all that excited about seeing number 76.

They've played what, nine shows? They lost Boyd and brought in Buddy..that's a big adjustment to make. Also, they aren't playing at any exciting venues yet.

Then again, I've never understood the setlist obsession. I like good music. Right now the band is playing really well and there is a new energy we haven't seen in a while. If they throw in Let you down or #40, are the shows suddenly something to be excited for?

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bmwm3oz

They've played what, nine shows? They lost Boyd and brought in Buddy..that's a big adjustment to make. Also, they aren't playing at any exciting venues yet.

Then again, I've never understood the setlist obsession. I like good music. Right now the band is playing really well and there is a new energy we haven't seen in a while. If they throw in Let you down or #40, are the shows suddenly something to be excited for?

If you go to multiple shows I could understand the concern. Iím going to one show, so the repetition doesnít bother me.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Yeah, they just sound empty to me. Look at it this way: how many bands out there are guitar(s), drums, bass and piano? Quite a few. Now you've got sax/trumpet but my feelings on the execution of that are well known; Jeff Coffin is absolutely neutered up there by the current setup and they're a glorified horn section. Boring stuff and way beneath their talent levels. It's a strong example of the sum being less than the parts. The violin, poor as it's been in recent years, was still a unique dynamic, and a good chunk of their classic songs absolutely rely on it. What you feel is finesse and dynamic, I find to be canned and unimaginative with regards to Jeff/Rashawn.

This is my biggest concern/thought/critique of the band. It's a total waste of Jeff (and Rashawn's) talent to reserve them for 30seconds at the end of the song for a rehearsed "horn part". I wonder if Jeff will bounce one day (soon). Although, I'm sure the paychecks are incredible.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

Yeah, they just sound empty to me. Look at it this way: how many bands out there are guitar(s), drums, bass and piano? Quite a few. Now you've got sax/trumpet but my feelings on the execution of that are well known; Jeff Coffin is absolutely neutered up there by the current setup and they're a glorified horn section. Boring stuff and way beneath their talent levels. It's a strong example of the sum being less than the parts. The violin, poor as it's been in recent years, was still a unique dynamic, and a good chunk of their classic songs absolutely rely on it. What you feel is finesse and dynamic, I find to be canned and unimaginative with regards to Jeff/Rashawn.

Well that's the thing about opinions, we can have different ones. Hey, don't get me wrong. I'm super happy you got to hit some shows and you enjoyed yourself. We all want that. I just don't think this current iteration of the band is all that interesting. Throw in predictable and safe setlists, and you've got someone who's been to 75 shows (me) who just isn't all that excited about seeing number 76.

The band sounded great Saturday. I seem to be in the rarity in thinking that the band sounds great on Ants this year. I don't miss the violin on that song - other songs maybe but not that one. I don't know, Jeff and Rashawn seem like more than a glorified horn section to me. You are selling them short. Rashawn was doing some great stuff on the solos and Boyd parts at Blossom. He was the MVP last Saturday night IMO. Sure the violin and sax make them a little more unique than a lot of bands but the most unique sound/aspect to me is and always will be Dave himself. I don't miss the violin as it hasn't been consistently great the last few tours and this version of the band is tight.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by KClaw

The band sounded great Saturday. I seem to be in the rarity in thinking that the band sounds great on Ants this year. I don't miss the violin on that song - other songs maybe but not that one. I don't know, Jeff and Rashawn seem like more than a glorified horn section to me. You are selling them short. Rashawn was doing some great stuff on the solos and Boyd parts at Blossom. He was the MVP last Saturday night IMO. Sure the violin and sax make them a little more unique than a lot of bands but the most unique sound/aspect to me is and always will be Dave himself. I don't miss the violin as it hasn't been consistently great the last few tours and this version of the band is tight.

Re: Ants Podcast 91: It's That Time Again and Again - Episode Discussion

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt

In our new album penultimate podcast, we discuss the latest song drop of Again and Again (ed: Bob Law), along with the album track times and the last 5 live shows.*We take a data driven look at each of the topics and in each case it tells us something different than the general feel.*Do you agree with the data or the feel?*Plus a lightning-round recap of the setlist game results.*Give it a listen and then join us this Sunday night for a LIVE podcast discussion on the new album.

Hey Matt. I'll be that guy that asks again because I didn't see an answer anywhere. Have you and Joe just not been able to line up schedules with Jake for these more recent podcasts or has Jake just taken a step back from some of the stuff on Ants? Maybe I missed something.